Maternity pens are the calves first housing environment and important for its welfare. Young calves are more vulnerable than any other age group on a dairy farm and a well managed, clean maternity pen separated from the milking herd has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality. A proper calving area reduces stress and provides a comfortable hygienic area for newborn calves. About 70% of dairy producers in the US use a separate calving area which is disinfected, has proper bedding, space and ventilation and allows the workers to watch the cow closely during the birthing process and intervene if required. Straw is often used as bedding for a comfortable laying space. A roof is also needed to protect calves from heat stress. Maternity pens include group and individual pens and recommended space allowance is 100-150 ft2 per animal.
A study that surveyed 115 dairy farms in Quebec revealed that recommended management practices were often not followed and practices contributed to increased health risks and poor calf welfare. Poor practices included not providing a calving pen, infrequent observation in 51.3% of the herds and no disinfection of calves navel after birth in 36.8% of the herds. Instead of calving pens, cows gave birth in tie-stalls in which they could not move freely so they are unable to get comfortable by changing positions during labor and delivery and calves were born in the manure gutter behind tie-stalls which increases their risk of diseases.